Top Fuel driver Brittany Force (John Force Racing) was one of those recognized as a member of Drag Illustrated inaugural “30 under 30.”  She joined Pro Stock driver Vincent Nobile, and Top Fuel’s Leah Pritchett on this list of the “most impressive young drivers, mechanical minds and businesspeople in…drag racing.” The members are the subject of Drag Illustrated’s “Tomorrow Issue,” which will be released at the upcoming Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show in Indianapolis. Funny Car crew chief Jon Schaffer was also announced as a member.
“It goes without question that up-and-coming drivers and tuners like Brittany Force and Jon Schaffer are amongst the most promising and talented young people the sport of drag racing has to offer,” Wes Buck, Drag Illustrated Editor-In-Chief, said. “These are the people that will carry our sport into the future, and we’re proud to have them as our first-ever Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 class.”
Force just emerged from her third year driving the Monster Energy Top Fuel dragster with her best performance to date. At only 28 years old, Force took two final rounds, a No. 1 qualifier and was as high as No. 3 in the Top Fuel points during the 2015 Countdown before ultimately settling into the No. 7 position to end the season. Â She and her sister, Courtney Force, also secured a multi-year sponsorship with Monster Energy within this past year.
“It’s such an honor to be mentioned in 30 under 30 recognizing my third season driving in Top Fuel. To be on a list with so many inspiring names and especially teammate Jon Shaffer proves John Force Racing has still got it,” said Force. “My team and I have worked incredibly hard and had our strongest finish in 2015. It feels great our efforts over the past three seasons haven’t gone unnoticed. The 30 under 30 is something I am very proud of and only motivates me more going into next season.”
Alongside Force, Shaffer completed his first full season as crew chief for 16-time Funny Car champion John Force. He led [John] Force to two wins, two runner-up finishes, and a Top Ten finish in the NHRA Mello Yello Funny Car point standings in 2015.
“I am honored to be included in this list,” said Shaffer. “I have had some great mentors and I want to thank all my crew guys and especially John Force for giving me the opportunity to be a crew chief at John Force Racing. I have spent a lot of time in the shop learning from some of the best people in this sport and I want to continue to work hard, win races and championships.”
Also appearing in the Tomorrow Issue as part of the Drag Illustrated 30 under 30 list are Vincent Nobile, who will be on the cover, Leah Pritchett, Rickie Jones, Jr., Drew Skillman, Megan Fessel-Schumacher, Troy Coughlin, Jr., and Steven Whiteley. The Sportsman racing ranks are represented by Jonnie Lindberg, JP Gutierrez, Corey Michalek, Ashley Sanford, Mia Tedesco, Cameron Ferre, Justen Moser, Kirk Wolf, and PJ North. The PDRA, nostaliga and small-tire racing representatives are Lizzy Musi, Kyle Dvorak, Preston Tanner, Matt Sackman, Mark Savage, Jimmy Sackuvich, Tyler Crossnoe, Daniel Pharris, Jared Johnston, Audrey Worm, Tera Wendland-Graves, and Donovan Scott.
“This has been one of the most exciting projects we’ve ever tacked,” added Wes Buck. “We set out to reward and celebrate the most talented and promising young people the sport of drag racing has to offer, and I could not possibly be more proud of this first-ever Drag Illustrated 30 under 30 class. We know the hard work and dedication required to be successful in and around the highly-competitive world of drag racing and we want to make sure all these young guys and gals get the credit they deserve.”
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